Rockstar Energy Drink driver Tanner Foust emerged from a challenging race in The Netherlands with his second-place position in the European Rallycross Championship fight intact. It was a happy outcome for the driver, who put in an amazing come-from-behind drive to finish sixth in the contest. Following the timed practice sessions on Saturday, Foust’s team performed a full engine swap that, under championship rules, resulted in a heavy penalty and he found himself playing catch-up from the very start of the race.

“Making a comeback with an eight-position penalty is virtually impossible but every team member put in 110 per cent to give us a chance,” said Foust. “I definitely felt pressure to perform after the team worked so hard to get us back into the race.” Rallycross is a hard-hitting motorsport that is notoriously tough on equipment. Foust’s Rockstar Energy Drink Ford Fiesta is a reliable performer and this was a rare mechanical issue for the team.

“The Rockstar Energy Drink Ford Fiesta is a very competitive car and it has taken me to the podium more often than not,” said Foust. “Everybody has tough luck now and then, and this was our weekend for it.” Even so, Foust drove to a second-place overall qualifying time that, with the penalty, landed him in the B final. He took a win in that race, giving him a shot at the main event and an outside chance to podium. After a hard fight, he eventually crossed the line in sixth.

On the heels of a second-place finish a week earlier in Belgium, it wasn’t the result Foust had hoped for. But it was enough for him to hold on to his second-place position in the title race. With two contests remaining in the championship, Foust is the only driver still mathematically capable of overtaking points leader Timur Timerzyanov for the title. “This series is very competitive and I’m proud to fly the American flag in such an international field,” said Foust, who is the only U.S. driver ever to make a run on the European Rallycross Championship.

Foust is favored for a top finish at any race he enters. He has earned four podium results in six series starts this season and hasn’t finished out of the points at any round. The American driver made his debut in Rallycross competition only two years ago with a calendar of select European events, and rapidly became a contender.

Photo: Tanner Foust coming out of the Joker Lap gravel section in one of his qualifying runs. © QBA/ERC24